Still Ill

The Smiths

About Still Ill

"Still Ill" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. It was written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was featured on the debut album, The Smiths, in February 1984. Another version of the song was included on the compilation album Hatful of Hollow in November 1984.


Year:
1984
3:32
69 

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I decree today that life is simply taking and not giving
England is mine, it owes me a living
But ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye
Oh, ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye
But we cannot cling to the old dreams anymore
No, we cannot cling to those dreams

Does the body rule the mind
Or does the mind rule the body?
I dunno

Under the iron bridge we kissed
And although I ended up with sore lips
It just wasn't like the old days anymore
No, it wasn't like those days, am I still ill?
Oh
Am I still ill?
Oh

Does the body rule the mind
Or does the mind rule the body?
I dunno

Ask me why, and I'll die
Oh, ask me why, and I'll die
And if you must, go to work, tomorrow
Well, if I were you I wouldn't bother
For there are brighter sides to life
And I should know, because I've seen them, but not very often

Under the iron bridge we kissed
And although I ended up with sore lips
It just wasn't like the old days anymore
No, it wasn't like those days, am I still ill?
Oh
Am I still ill?
Oh

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


The Smiths

The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, the band also included bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. The group was signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, on which they released four studio albums, several compilations, and numerous non-LP singles. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a significant following, and remain cult an… more »

4 fans

Written by: STEVEN MORRISSEY, JOHNNY MARR

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Creation
"Still Ill" was composed by Johnny Marr, the guitarist, and Morrissey, the vocalist, of the band The Smiths.
Release
"Still Ill" was plotted on their self-titled debut album, "The Smiths," released in 1984.
Live Performances
The band performed this track live for the first time at their gig on 4 February 1983 at University of Leicester.
Recording
This track was one of the few songs from their debut album that was not re-recorded before the album's release due to the band's dissatisfaction with producer Troy Tate's initial work.
Signature Song
It is often considered as one of the Smiths' signature songs and a fan favorite.
Lyrics
The lyrics are considered somewhat autobiographical and showcase Morrissey's experiences with physical and mental illness.
Re-releases
The song was re-released in a remastered and slightly remixed form on the compilation album The Sound of The Smiths in 2008.
Notable Covers
The band The Airborne Toxic Event covered "Still Ill" for their All I Ever Wanted: Live from the Walt Disney Concert Hall album released in 2010.
Love for Literature
This song incorporates a line from T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland," ("April is the cruellest month") which reflects Morrissey and Marr’s shared love for literature.
Morrissey's Performance
Morrissey typically performed this song with an NHS hearing aid and a bunch of gladioli, both as symbols of his unique style and his thoughts about hearing problems being ignored by healthcare providers.

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